Fonseca discusses ‘understanding’ the feelings of fans, Pulisic’s replacement and Theo treatment | OneFootball

Ahead of AC Milan’s Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade, Paulo Fonseca discussed his current situation at the club, whilst also dismissing questions about his post-Atalanta rant.

The pressure is building on Fonseca’s shoulders at present, and things must settle again. After the defeat in Bergamo, hope has been lost for many, and expectations have been forcefully lowered and the Portuguese must work through this.

Allowing himself to sink into the situation will only damage his own hopes, and if he is not able to steer the ship back towards the expectations that managing Milan comes with, then he will be walking the plank at the end of the season.

Finding themselves back in the top four is a must for the end of the season, but that is a long-term objective, and the head coach must focus on games as they come, starting with this game against Red Star, which could ease things slightly.

Before the game, he spoke to the media about Theo’s drop in form and the disparity between European football and Serie A – his words have been relayed by Milan News.

Milan have 9 points, Red Star 3. But beyond this, is it important to convey that in the Champions League, there are always pitfalls?

“Yes, also because we are facing a team that won 5-1 against Stuttgart. It will be an important match for us, we want to win and get the three points.”

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Tomorrow you will have to do without Pulisic: how is he? Who will be there in his place?

“Loftus-Cheek will play in Christian’s position, who has a small problem. I have full confidence in Loftus-Cheek.”

Why with this Milan are there so many ups and downs between Europe and Serie A?

“They are totally different games, but even in the league we are getting closer every day to what we are doing in the Champions League.”

There has been a lot of talk about the post-match in Bergamo and your words. After three days, with a cool head, do you still think that Milan is not very respected?

“I understand the curiosity but today I only want to talk about the Champions League match.”

How do you help Theo get back to the top?

“I’m seeing him well, he’s training well. We’re showing him the actions on the pitch that he needs to improve. I think he’s improved in what I talked to him about, he needs to improve on other things but he’s working well.”

On Loftus instead of Pulisic:

“They are different players with different characteristics but the role is the same, what I want from Loftus is the same as what I want from Christian. But we can do the same with Loftus. Obviously Loftus is a player who carries the ball more, here in the Champions League the games are a bit more open and we have more space for him and I am confident.”

Is this a Milan that must aim to always score one more goal than its opponents?

“I think we have improved a lot defensively lately, not only in the Champions League but also in the league. In Bratislava it was a special match, the team learned a lot defensively. I’m sure we will be good defensively tomorrow because the team is much better.”

Is there a chance of any changes tomorrow?

“Maybe we’ll change something but not the central defenders.”

Isn’t a Leao-style management conceivable for Theo? It’s been a couple of months since he’s been decisive anymore…

“They are different situations.”

Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

Do you feel protected and supported by your managers?

“Yes, always. I’ve always felt the support of the company. Always.”

However, the company cannot be happy with what is being seen… It is December and there is a lot of disappointment and distrust in the environment. How can this be changed?

“We are working to change. I am here and I continue to believe that we are improving and that we will eventually arrive at a different position. I have no doubts about this, and that is why I continue to work every day with the same confidence and positivity that I have had since day one. I understand if we look at the standings and the feelings of the fans. But we are working to improve”.

What kind of opponent is Red Star?

“They are a physical team, they try to play but their main weapon is the counterattack: they have three fast attackers. They are a very dangerous team on the counterattack.”

Is it out of the question to see Abraham and Morata together again tomorrow?

“They won’t play together tomorrow. It’s always a solution, I’ve thought about it. Not from the beginning, maybe it can happen in the next games. It’s always a possibility.”

Is the objective Top 8 in the Champions League?

“I think the most important thing is to win the next one, but I can’t say we don’t think about that possibility. But if we don’t win the next one it will be difficult. Let’s think about the next one and then we’ll think about the others.”

Is preparing for European matches at Milan different?

“The Champions League is always a different competition, even for the players there is a different motivation. But the way we prepare for the match is always the same. What is different is perhaps the opponent, the strategy, the structure. In my head I have that Milan’s prestige in Europe is great, we have to understand this and do well because Milan is a Champions League team.

“It is a different, special competition”.